Engadget

Hulu Plus comes to WD TV Live Plus, Live Hub players

Richard Lawler — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:08:00 EST

Western Digital's line of media players have landed the other most important premium streaming video service for a set-top box, Hulu Plus. Now available on the WD TV Live Plus and WD TV Live Hub, the $7.99 mostly TV-filled service plops down to existing offerings including Netflix, Blockbuster, CinemaNow, YouTube and others. Another new addition is thousands radio stations from SHOUTcast, but that's strictly for the WD TV Live Hub. The Hulu Blog promises more devices to come soon, any ideas of places it has yet to land?

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Hulu Plus comes to WD TV Live Plus, Live Hub players originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget HD: What's the cheapest media streamer that plays MKVs?

Richard Lawler — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST

Our friend Nathan is a simple guy with simple needs. He just wants to stream MKVs from a DLNA server to watch on his HDTV and he doesn't want to pay a lot or do a lot of work to do it. We'll let him break down the situation:

I was about to buy an Apple TV for $99 with the express purpose of hacking it (jailbreak) to put XBMC on it -- to play MKV files from my DLNA server. And then it occurred to me, maybe there is a cheaper solution, that doesn't require a hack, for this purpose? What are the pros and cons of going with such an alternate?

So what is it: Roku, WDTV, the hacked Apple TV he was already planning to go with, or something else? Let us know what you'd recommend and why in the comments below.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

Ask Engadget HD: What's the cheapest media streamer that plays MKVs? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WD TV Live media players gain Blockbuster on Demand, USB wireless keyboard support

Darren Murph — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 02:58:00 EST

It's not like anyone could predict the media streamer war that would erupt in 2010, but it looks like Western Digital's taking things pretty seriously. The company has just issued a somewhat major overhaul for its WD TV Live Plus and WD TV Live media players, adding Facebook support while also giving US-based users the ability to instantly rent or purchase movies via Blockbuster on Demand. Post-firmware update, users will also be able to tap into Deezer (an on-demand music service), Flingo (another internet TV portal) and AccuWeather (a place that "forecasts" what's happening in our "atmosphere"). Potentially more important than all of that, however, is the addition of USB wireless keyboard support -- simply plug in a USB wireless dongle that ships with most every wireless keyboard out there, and you'll be free to update your Facebook status or search for "Bed Intruder Song" through YouTube, all from the comfort of your sofa. Huzzah!

Continue reading WD TV Live media players gain Blockbuster on Demand, USB wireless keyboard support

WD TV Live media players gain Blockbuster on Demand, USB wireless keyboard support originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 02:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Syabas provides tease of upcoming PopBox UI

Ben Bowers — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:33:00 EST

We've already seen a lot of the Popbox, which is due out on July 23rd, but now we're getting a peek at the UI. Screenshots revealed on the company's blog showcase a welcome screen featuring quick access to the media library, apps, search and settings. We've also got a center "home" bar of presumably customizable widgets for at a glance weather and Twitter updates -- two snippets that you'll undoubtedly be refreshing at a near-maddening pace. Prominent features in the shared media library view include a top navigation bar for browsing by media type and a left sub navigation rail for media subgroups. Features aside though, these slightly distorted images definitely resemble the original Boxee interface, but we're all reminded that what we're seeing now is just an initial version. In other words, don't be shocked and appalled if significant updates come quickly after the device's official launch, cool?

Gallery: Popbox UI Screenshots

Syabas provides tease of upcoming PopBox UI originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Western Digital announces WD TV Live Plus HD with Netflix streaming

Joseph L. Flatley — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:48:00 EST

We have even more news from Western Digital regarding its WD TV line (and this time around it doesn't involve bricking your set-top box with a firmware update). Besides the usual suspects (including Pandora, Live365, and YouTube), the WD TV Live Plus HD is shipping with Netflix. Get ready to browse titles, manage your Instant Queue, and stream your favorite episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation on your HDTV -- in addition to accessing your sizable collection of legally purchased digital media via the device's USB connection and / or Windows 7 "Play To" functionality. Available now for $150. PR after the break.

Continue reading Western Digital announces WD TV Live Plus HD with Netflix streaming

Western Digital announces WD TV Live Plus HD with Netflix streaming originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WD TV Live HD gets 'Play To' functionality, full Windows 7 compliance

Sean Hollister — Fri, 07 May 2010 02:43:00 EST

This silvery-set top box above may look rather drab, but never fear: its next production run will sport a nice, colorful Windows 7 sticker. That's because Western Digital recently signed an agreement to make its WD TV Live HD network media players compatible with Microsoft's "Play To" feature, allowing you to push media right to your TV from a Windows Media Player 12-equipped PC. While the feature actually snuck its way into firmware revision 1.02.21 in late March, WD only just began trumpeting its inclusion today... possibly to let memories of its disastrous prior update fade. Whatever the reason, the box is not the "first network media player compatible with Windows 7" -- Denon has four receivers that predate it. Press release and an example of what 'Play To' looks like, right after the break.

Continue reading WD TV Live HD gets 'Play To' functionality, full Windows 7 compliance

WD TV Live HD gets 'Play To' functionality, full Windows 7 compliance originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 May 2010 02:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WD TV Live boxes left bricked by firmware update

Richard Lawler — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:11:00 EST

In its short stay on retail shelves the WD TV Live HD media box has picked up an avid community of users for the unassuming unit -- at least until they tried to update the firmware of the last couple of days. Forum reports show formerly operational units with nothing but a blank screen after download the v1.101.12 update. For its part Western Digital has acknowledged the problem and pulled the update from its site, but given the poor ratio of successful upgraders to mourners in the thread, we hope it sees loyal customers out of RMA hell and back to 1080p video playing bliss quickly. Until then, we'd keep clear of that "upgrade now" screen until the next patch has been thoroughly vetted.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

WD TV Live boxes left bricked by firmware update originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Western Digital WD TV Live HD media player gets official

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:23:00 EST

Hope you didn't spend your well-earned shekels on a WD TV Mini -- it turns out that the HD-less wonder was just a waypoint to Western Digital's latest. The WD TV Live HD media player is an unassuming sort that doesn't really offer any surprises: 1080p video playback, support for all your favorite codecs, both Pandora and Live365 Internet radio apps, WiFi, two USB ports for external storage, HDMI, composite and component video outputs, SPDIF audio output, and more. No big whoop, right? All this can be yours for an MSRP of $149.99, but we hear that Best Buy has 'em for $119 -- and we wouldn't want you to pay any more than that. PR after the break.

Update: "That's WiFi ready." As in "WiFi adapter sold separately."

Continue reading Western Digital WD TV Live HD media player gets official

Filed under: HD DVD, Others

Western Digital WD TV Live HD media player gets official originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Western Digital WD TV Live HD media player gets official

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:23:00 EST

Continue reading Western Digital WD TV Live HD media player gets official

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Western Digital WD TV Live HD media player gets official originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Western Digital WD TV Live media player hits Best Buy

Nilay Patel — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:03:00 EST

We'd been hearing that Western Digital was about to update its WD TV set-top media player lineup, and it looks like that leaked WD TV-2 has turned into the WD TV Live on the way to Best Buy. Nothing here too out of the ordinary -- wide codec support, Dolby Digital and DTS decoders, HDMI out, and an Ethernet jack for DLNA streaming and accessing YouTube, Flickr, and Pandora make this one a solid buy at $119 if you need it, but it's not going to blow up the world, you know? We're still saving up for monster Windows 7 / CableCARD Media Center rig.

[Thanks, Keith D.]

Filed under: Media streamers, Others

New Western Digital WD TV Live media player hits Best Buy originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Western Digital WD TV Live media player hits Best Buy

Nilay Patel — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:03:00 EST

Filed under: Home Entertainment

New Western Digital WD TV Live media player hits Best Buy originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WD TV Mini loses Full HD, but remains a handy Media Player

Vladislav Savov — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:54:00 EST

While we wait excitedly for Western Digital to update its HD Media Player, the company has decided to add another, value-minded product to its media player range. Working along the same lines as the HD unit, The WD TV Mini serves as a conduit between your TV set and USB-connected storage -- whether it be a camcorder, an external HDD or a humble flash drive -- and plays back a vast array of digital media formats. The Mini part to its name refers to its diminutive 91 x 91 x 22 mm footprint, but being the younger sibling also means it loses a couple of the premium features, namely HDMI and full 1080p, though that drop-off isn't too steep with 1080i and composite plus component outputs serving as alternatives. It's available now for $99.

Filed under: Media streamers, Players

WD TV Mini loses Full HD, but remains a handy Media Player originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WD TV Mini loses Full HD, but remains a handy Media Player

Vlad Savov — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:54:00 EST

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

WD TV Mini loses Full HD, but remains a handy Media Player originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WD TV-2 spruces up Western Digital's already attractive media player offering

Paul Miller — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:30:00 EST

Western Digital really hit a sweet spot last year with its $130 WD TV HD Media Player. The thing pumped out 1080p over HDMI at an attractive price, and that's all most people really needed. The newly leaked WD TV-2 revisits the formula, but adds in network playback over the new Ethernet jack, DTS audio decoding, and a component video plug for folks caught in the technological no man's land between composite and HDMI. Outside of that there's a just plain silly amount of codec support, which is hard not to love. No word on price or a release date, but the leaked photos and detailed specs seem to imply this thing is ready for prime time.

Filed under: Media streamers, Set-top boxes

WD TV-2 spruces up Western Digital's already attractive media player offering originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WD TV-2 spruces up Western Digital's already attractive media player offering

Paul Miller — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:30:00 EST

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

WD TV-2 spruces up Western Digital's already attractive media player offering originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Western Digital 2TB Caviar Green, 8TB ShareSpace and friends eyes-on

Darren Murph — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:08:00 EST

Can't say we really expected to see anything from Western Digital here at CeBIT, but sure enough, it brought along its 2TB Caviar Green hard drive, WD TV HD media player and the new 8TB ShareSpace NAS. Along with oodles of other external, internal and somewhere-in-between drives, too. We actually kind of spazzed upon seeing two terabytes of empty space within a single internal HDD, but hopefully the blur isn't too noticeable. Enjoy!

Gallery: Western Digital 2TB Caviar Green, 8TB ShareSpace and friends hands-on

Filed under: Storage

Western Digital 2TB Caviar Green, 8TB ShareSpace and friends eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Western Digital's WD TV HD Media Player reviewed: pretty good, but has its quirks

Darren Murph — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:43:00 EST

Western Digital's WD TV HD Media Player is an interesting contraption. Rather than being a self-sufficient media server, it simply acts as a bridge between your hard drive / USB key and your television. PopPhoto was able to corral a unit for review, and overall, they appreciated the media liaison's abilities. The actual connection was "pretty much plug 'n play," though the omission of an HDMI cable in the box was a bit of a bummer. The unit did a satisfactory job of parsing the information on the HDD and finding photos, songs and video clips, and the on-screen result was fantastic. Not everything was peachy, though -- for instance, large files introduced lag when rotating / changing, and DRM-laced material wouldn't play back at all. Furthermore, it chose to truncate iPod song names, which could obviously be annoying to some. All in all, the WD TV showed some promise but feel short in a few key areas, so you'd better give it some serious thought before plunking down $130.

Filed under: Reviews, Media streamers, Other hardware, Others

Western Digital's WD TV HD Media Player reviewed: pretty good, but has its quirks originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WD TV HD Media Player smacked up, flipped, rubbed down

Richard Lawler — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:02:00 EST

Western Digital's WD TV HD Media Player kept a low profile before hitting shelves this month, but with only $99 separating MaddHat.com from a thorough teardown, the inevitable next step was taken. Besides snapshots inside and out -- and the ubiquitous iPhone size comparison photo -- a quick runthrough with a variety of MKV-packed videos revealed delightfully nerdy results. The 1080p h.264 decoding was smooth, although some odd sharpening on 720p files while in 1080p output mode, and less than optimal results with 1080i-encoded files were noted. 1080p24 support didn't make it into the box, same for .ISO direct support -- no worries though, as it wasn't enough to stop the .m2ts files in the Blu-ray backups from playing directly. Good for the price, but with stiff competition -- Popcorn Hour anyone? -- being "good enough" in this sector is getting harder, pics and details are beyond the read link.

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

WD TV HD Media Player smacked up, flipped, rubbed down originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WD TV HD Media Player smacked up, flipped, rubbed down

Richard Lawler — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Media streamers, Other hardware

WD TV HD Media Player smacked up, flipped, rubbed down originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Western Digital quietly intros WD TV HD Media Player

Darren Murph — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:51:00 EST

Well, what do we have here? With no fanfare whatsoever, Western Digital has apparently strayed from its platter-based roots and delved into the wide, murky world of HD media streaming. The WD TV HD Media Player purports to "turn your USB drive into an HD media player, allowing you to watch your favorite HD movies on your TV." For those still befuddled, look at it like this: it enables you to plug in your USB key or USB hard drive and play back multimedia clips up to 1080p on your HDTV via the HDMI / composite outputs. The 1.6- x 4.9- x 3.9-inch box ought not bog you down too much when looking to take it on a journey, and the $129.99 price tag isn't too painful either.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Filed under: Media streamers, Others

Western Digital quietly intros WD TV HD Media Player originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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